It is with great sadness that I share the news that Shawn Poirier, my friend and business partner, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 18th, 2007. We ask for energy, prayers, and well-wishes that he has a safe journey into the next world. I was in New Orleans with Bloody Mary when it happened, where we went to the altars set out for Saint Joseph's Day. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of happy deaths, so we welcomed those energies for Shawn's journey. In New Orleans, the magic of Catholicism, Voodoo, Witchcraft, Strega, and Native spirituality are all blended into a veritable Gumbo of power and we drew from that spirit of place for strength for Shawn and those he left behind.

Shawn is the most magical person I've ever known. For those whose lives he touched, I say blessings to you, and know that his spirit will always be with you. The energy of a place becomes a composite of all the lives who have touched it and the powerful spirits become the Loa or spirit of that place. It is in this way that Shawn will always be part of the magic of Salem, ready to lend his power to those in need.

The Festival of the Dead, the October events that Shawn and I founded in 2003, take on a new meaning with his passing. We truly have confronted our own mortality and looked death in the face. The work that Shawn and I began will live on, not only in me but in all of those who have helped in our adventures into the spiritual unknown. It is in Shawn's memory that each of us who contribute to the work seek to live up to his legacy and create our own.

For those who wish to attend the wake or funeral, or wish to send flowers, the funeral home information is as follows. A memorial service will be held in Salem at a later date.

WAKE:Wednesday, March 21st 6pm - 8pm for Salem residents and friends. FUNERAL:Thursday, March 22nd at 10am at the Saunders Funeral Home, and then going from there to the Cemetary for a graveside service.

DRESS:In respect for Shawn, his family requests that those of you who have them come in your most Witchy blacks and pointy hats. Both family and friends agree that this is what Shawn would have wanted.

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